The City Council voted early Wednesday to limit the center's activities solely to Port of Oakland property. The original plan called for the use of street cameras and gunshot detector microphones to keep an eye on areas around the city.

But critics objected to that plan, saying the technology could be abused and threatened privacy. Authorities countered that more robust, citywide surveillance would help solve crimes and improve emergency response efforts.

The Oakland Tribune reports that Mayor Jean Quan cast the deciding vote in favor of the more limited program.